Opinion of Baikal O/U shotgun.
- Thread starter MDR
- Start date
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Do a google search and you will get all kinds of reviews/opinions from people that own or have owned them. Experiences will range from pieces of crap to the world's greatest shotgun. So it may be a hit and a miss. But, as usual, you get what you pay for.
badgreenbird
Regular
- Location
- Dawson Creek, BC
agreed on the search results... but I've always liked my uncle's o/u Baikal, and I love my sxs. If I had spare cash lying around and the opportunity presented itself, I'd be inclined to get an o/u for myself.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Just a little more on the Baikal. I have a SxS. It is an extractor gun although it is supposed to be ejector. The machining or fitting of the ejectors is so rough it looks like it was done with a grinder. Even the cavity in the barrel flats where the ejectors slide through is full of grooves.I tried polishing the parts a few times and they still don't work. I just use it as an extractor gun. I have read a number of comments on the net where apparently ejectors not working is not uncommon at all. But this is what I mean by you get what you pay for. The gun has ejectors, they should function . It might go bang every time you pull the trigger but so will a lot guns. Plus the finish of the wood is not great. So it depends on what you want to settle for. Will the Baikal work-sure it will. But there are also guns more refined that don't cost a fortune that will go bang when you pull the trigger. Just making you aware. If you only want to spend $500.00, then go for a Baikal.
I have an older Baikal SxS that is gorgeous with decent engraving, 'cocked' indicator pins, that beautiful finish that comes from case-hardening, I believe, and a side lock in addition to the bottom locks. My cousin bought a more recently made version that is simpler, with regular blued steel receiver, minimal engraving, no side lock, and no indicator pins but still very tight.
On the other hand, someone I used to hunt with bought an O/U a few years back that took two hands and considerable force to break open. The fit was so tight it was impractical. Not sure how many thousands of rounds it would take to loosen it up. I think he eventually took it to a gunsmith to have it loosened.
Your mileage will definitely vary. I'd highly recommend trying the specific gun you're interested in buying in person prior to deciding on it.
On the other hand, someone I used to hunt with bought an O/U a few years back that took two hands and considerable force to break open. The fit was so tight it was impractical. Not sure how many thousands of rounds it would take to loosen it up. I think he eventually took it to a gunsmith to have it loosened.
Your mileage will definitely vary. I'd highly recommend trying the specific gun you're interested in buying in person prior to deciding on it.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Just a little more info on the Baikals. The older USSR made Baikals appear to be a little better in fit/finish and quality. I would search for a USSR made IJ27E over/under. Problem is they do not have interchangeable chokes and I think they are chrome lined bored. You could maybe have chokes installed. You can pick up pretty decent, hardly used IJ27"s for between $300.00-$400.00 (2 just sold on the EE). There is one on the EE now listed for around $600.00 which is waaaay too high. Guess that's why it hasn't sold.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
You would have to find a gunsmith and have the muzzles threaded if the barrel wall thickness is thick enough. I believe the Baikal walls should have sufficient metal for threading. You could also just have the chokes opened up if you find a gunsmith with a carbide reamer (if the bores are chrome lined). It would be a waaay cheaper than threading and installing choke tubes.
